Australian Open 2021 – What Victoria’s lockdown means for the first Slam of the tennis season

MELBOURNE, Australia – The 2021 Australian Open already looked significantly different from previous years’ tournaments, but Friday’s announcement of a quick five-day state lockdown to Victoria has added chaos to things.

Players will once again have to get used to no crowds, with spectators kept outside Melbourne Park until at least Thursday, February 18 to comply with the state’s Stage 4 restrictions.

So what exactly is happening in Melbourne and what does this mean for the first Grand Slam of the year? Here’s an attempt to clear things up a bit.

What is the current situation of COVID-19 in Victoria?

As of Saturday, Victoria has 20 active cases of COVID-19. Only one new case of the virus was discovered in the community overnight – bringing the number of community cases (not in hotel quarantine) to 14.

All cases that are not in hotel quarantine and their direct close contacts (such as family members and roommates) are currently self-isolating. In the Friday night from midnight to midnight, 20,116 tests were conducted statewide.

A total of 14 active businesses are linked to Melbourne Airport’s Holiday Inn cluster. The hotel was used as a hotel quarantine location for return overseas arrivals, but is no longer used as such after the virus escaped and made its way into the community last week.

What are the latest restrictions in Victoria?

On Friday, the state government of Victoria mandated a “circuit breaker” for five days and reintroduced phase 4 restrictions for the entire state. It means that starting Saturday, Victorians (and all visitors to the state) will be allowed to leave their homes for only one of four reasons: shopping for necessary goods and services, care and care, exercise, and essential work.

Necessary goods and services include supermarkets and other food retailers, post offices, banks, pharmacies and liquor stores. Other establishments, including gyms, swimming pools and sports clubs, have been forced to close for the duration of the lockdown.

In addition to attending essential work and care, Victorians are also not allowed to leave a three-mile radius of their home, while face masks must be worn at all times, except for strenuous exercise such as running. A full list of restrictions can be found here.

Do players have to adhere to the latest restrictions?

Yes, but under the restrictions they are defined as “essential workers” and are allowed to attend their workplace – in this case Melbourne Park. However, once they leave the police station, they must obey the same rules as everyone else in Victoria, including leaving their home for just the four essential reasons. Since practice is part of their job, they are allowed to practice on the Melbourne Park courses when not playing. Players are required to wear masks both indoors and outdoors, except during sports.

During their first 14-day quarantine, those who were not in hard lockdown were allowed to practice five hours a day, but this limit does not apply to the current restrictions.

While the current five-day lockdown is in effect, Rod Laver Arena’s 22 suites will host the best seeds left in the tournament. The players will be able to use them as their dressing rooms and rest area as a way to help with social distances around Melbourne Park. According to Tennis Australia, the top eleven seeds from the men’s and women’s draws still in the tournament will each be assigned a suite.

Who is still allowed in Melbourne Park?

The Melbourne Park grounds look pretty bare on the weekend and the second week of the tournament, with fans unable to participate. But aside from the players and coaches, there are a few other people roaming the grounds.

“Those essential to the execution of the event will be on site,” said tournament director Craig Tiley Friday afternoon.

This means that referees and ball kids will just continue their role. Security is also permitted on the premises, along with members of the media including photographers, broadcasters and written press.

What happens to fans who had tickets for days 6 to 10?

While it may be disappointing that fans won’t be able to attend the Australian Open, they won’t be let out of their own pocket. Tennis Australia is offering full refunds to any ticketed fan from Saturday to following Wednesday, with an announcement on how to request upcoming refunds. Details will be shared as soon as they are known.

Are those who had to leave Rod Laver Arena on Friday night eligible for a refund?

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic said he had “never seen anything like it” when Rod Laver Arena fans were asked to leave the venue at 11.30pm local time on Friday. With the impending curfew, the game was suspended for 15 minutes as spectators were sent home by security. It meant that Djokovic and American Taylor Fritz had to play their decisive fifth set in an empty stadium, while fans who had to leave couldn’t see what would be an epic finish.

Although not confirmed, Tennis Australia will also likely refund all tickets purchased for Friday night’s session at Rod Laver Arena, despite fans being able to watch for the past 5½ hours.